British Airways is to cut 1,800 jobs by the end of the financial year in a move aimed at cutting costs, the airline told unions today.
The company said it aimed to achieve the reduction through voluntary means such as natural wastage. Engineers, cabin crew and customer services staff will be among those affected by the cutback.
BA, which employs 58,000 workers, said it had made clear in the past that it needed to reduce the number of people it employed and tackle costs. A spokesman said there would be further cuts in the following year.
BA said the savings were being made in common with other major airlines because times were tough at the moment.
The spokesman added: 'We need to address our costs. We had a solid set of figures last year but this year we are having to cope with the economic downturn and the effects of foot and mouth on the transatlantic market.'
BA made a profit of £150m sterling in the last financial year and £40m in the first quarter of this financial year. The airline said its workforce was reduced by 3,000 in the last financial year through voluntary means.
